FAQs

Question

What is the dress code for the welcome party?

Answer

The welcome party will be at Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery, and we recommend wearing “smart casual” attire. For men, this would mean something like jeans or khakis (shorts are fine) and a nice shirt. For ladies, please wear a casual dress or jeans/skirt and a nice top. Please reach out if you have any questions (don’t overthink it!).

Question

Where should we park and what should we expect at the welcome party?

Answer

The bride and groom are excited to greet friends and family before the big day! The welcome party is intended to be a fun, casual event on Friday night from 7-10pm to kick off the weekend. It is entirely optional, and guests can come and go as they please. We will have an open bar and appetizers to pass around. Parking is available at the Powerhouse Square Parking deck, located directly behind the restaurant. It is free for three hours, and you will need to get a validation code from the hostess when you enter the restaurant (see signage upon entering).

Question

What is the dress code for the ceremony and reception?

Answer

Please wear semi-formal attire for all events on Saturday, including the church ceremony and the reception. Men, please wear a suit or blazer with dress pants (tie preferred). Ladies, a mid-length cocktail dress or other semi-formal attire is preferred.

Question

What time should we arrive at the ceremony?

Answer

The ceremony will begin promptly at 2pm at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. Please do not be late!! We recommend arriving no later than 1:45 so you can be seated before the ceremony begins.

Question

What should we expect at the ceremony?

Answer

The ceremony will be a full Catholic marriage mass. It will last approximately one hour and will include music, readings, a homily, and Communion. During Communion, those who are Catholic are welcome to come forward and receive the Eucharist. For those who are not Catholic, you can either come forward for a blessing or remain seated - whatever you are most comfortable with. The priest will guide us all through the mass, and please follow the lead of others in attendance for when to sit, stand, etc. All are welcome to join in the songs and prayers if you know them!

Question

What is the recommended transportation to the church and the reception?

Answer

There will not be any coordinated busses or shuttles to any of the weekend events. The church is a <10 minute drive from Market Hall and the Marriott hotel. We recommend either driving yourself or taking an Uber/Lyft to and from the church. For the reception, if you are staying at the Marriott or a nearby hotel, Market Hall is walkable or a short Uber away (~0.4 miles).

Question

Where should we park?

Answer

At the hotel, there is valet parking and a nearby parking garage that you will be able to use. For the ceremony, there will be ample parking at the church. For the reception at Market Hall, please use the City Market (McLaurin) parking lot at 228 E. Martin St., which costs $5 for the day and allows for overnight parking if needed. There will also be limited street parking available on Martin St and other nearby streets. If you are staying at the Marriott, we recommend parking at the hotel and walking (or taking a short Uber) if you are able!

Question

What should we do during the time between the ceremony and the reception?

Answer

There will be approximately 1 hour between the end of the ceremony and the beginning of cocktail hour. We are required to leave the church by 3:30pm. After that, we recommend returning to downtown Raleigh and either relaxing at the hotel or checking out a few local spots before cocktail hour begins at 4:30pm! For coffee, there is a great cafe called Sir Walter Coffee located one block from the reception. There are also multiple other coffee shops nearby (Little Native Coffee Co., 42 & Lawrence). For food/drinks, we love Woody’s (located directly next to Market Hall), Watts & Ward (0.2 miles, opens at 4pm), and the Raleigh Times (0.3 miles). There are also plenty of other places to explore in the area, so we hope you have fun with it!